Why is the US 🇺🇸 withholding aid for Palestinian refugees? | Inside Story

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN members.

The US is the single largest donor, and gave more than 350 million dollars last year. Its first instalment for 2018 was due this month. But this week the Trump administration cut in half the 125 million dollars it had pledged.

In addition, it’s suspended 45 million dollars in emergency food aid it had promised in December.

This all follows President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and his threats to cut aid unless Palestinian leaders agree to resume talks.

So is humanitarian aid being used for political blackmail?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom
Guests:
Ammar Hijazi, Palestine’s assistant minister of foreign affairs.
Karl Schembri, a regional spokesman for the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Graeme Bannerman, former Middle East Analyst at the U.S. State Department.